1. Ensure the computer meets the minimum system requirements. It is actually best to meet or exceed the recommended requirements.

2. Decide the method of installation. There are two basic methods of upgrading to Windows Vista; Clean Install or an In-Place Upgrade Install.

3. Identify the version of Windows Vista that you can upgrade to.

For additional information about Windows Vista, refer to the following Web sites:

Gateway/eMachines Windows Vista site:
http://www.support.gateway.com/s/software/microsof/Vista/FAQ/SUPPAGE01su93.shtml

Microsoft's Windows Vista site:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/default.mspx

Minimum system requirements for Windows Vista

• 800 MHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 512 MB memory
• 800 × 600 SVGA display
• 20 GB hard drive space, including 15 GB available free space

Recommended system requirements for Windows Vista

• 1.0 GHz or faster x86 or x64 processor (single or multiple core)
• 1 GB memory
• Windows Aero capable graphics requires DirectX 9-class GPU that supports a WDDM driver, Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware, and 32 bits per pixel.
• Adequate graphics memory
  • 64 MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor at 1,310,720 or less
  • 128 MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor at resolutions 2,304,000 pixels or less
  • 256 MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor at resolutions higher than 2,304,000 pixels
  • Graphics memory bandwidth, as assessed by Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, of at least 1,600 MB per second
• 40 GB hard drive space, including 15 GB available free space

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  Which operating systems can be upgraded to Windows Vista?

You can upgrade from your current edition of Microsoft Windows XP or Windows 2000 to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista by purchasing and installing an upgrade copy of Windows Vista. Depending on which edition of Windows you are running and the edition of Windows Vista you would like to install, you have two options for the installation process:

The table below outlines the upgrade options mapped to the different Windows Vista editions.

Notes:

• If you are currently using Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional x64, you are eligible for an upgrade copy to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista, but a clean install is required.
• For versions of Windows earlier than Windows 2000, upgrade copies are not available. These earlier versions of Windows require you to install a full copy of Windows Vista.

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  Method of Installation

In-place upgrade

You can upgrade in-place, which means you can install Windows Vista and retain your programs, files, and settings as they were in your previous edition of Windows.

Clean install

Upgrading to Windows Vista with a clean install means that you should use Windows Easy Transfer to automatically copy all your files and settings to an extra hard drive or other storage device, and then install Windows Vista. After the installation is complete, Windows Easy Transfer will reload your files and settings on your upgraded PC. You will then need to reinstall your programs.

If the edition of Windows Vista that you choose to install will result in a loss of functionality over your current edition of Windows, a clean install must be done or the installation must be completed to a new partition on your computer.

Prior to performing an Upgrade or a Clean Install, it is advised to do the following:

• Upgrade to the latest BIOS revision. Some computers with 512 MB RAM require a BIOS update in order to successfully upgrade to Windows Vista. Check the Product pages or Gateway/eMachines website.
• If the option to reinstall Windows XP is desired, create a set of drivers and programs discs for Windows XP.
• Backup personal data. Even though the hard drive will not be formatted, it is recommended that you back up all personal data before starting the upgrade process. Occasionally, a problem may leave the computer in an inoperable state, and the computer will need to be reloaded.
• Disable TPM in the BIOS (If the computer has this feature)

If you are performing a Clean Install, you can begin the installation after completing the items above.

If performing an Upgrade installation, the items below should be completed. It's important to follow this entire checklist before continuing. Leaving incompatible software installed could leave the computer unstable or unusable when the upgrade is completed.

1. Uninstall the following programs if they are installed:
   
   • Norton Internet Security
   • Norton Antivirus
   • Symantec Client Security
   • LiveUpdate
   • LiveReg
   • Wave ETS - Gateway/eMachines Edition
   • Nero Burning ROM
   • Ahead InCD
   • DVD Solution
   • Cyberlink Power2Go 4.0
   • PowerDVD
   • Digital Media Reader
   • Sigmatel Audio

   To uninstall these programs:

   1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs.
   2. In the Add or Remove Programs dialog box, click the program name, and then click Change/Remove.
   3. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the un-installation. You can reinstall Windows Vista-capable software versions after the upgrade is complete.
   4. If prompted to reinstall a device driver after rebooting, click Cancel.

Update installed programs and drivers

• If you use America Online (AOL), update AOL by downloading Windows Vista-capable AOL Software (AOL VR) from www.aol.com, and then use the new version to connect to the Internet.
• If you use McAfee Security Center, open it, then click Updates and follow the on-screen instructions.
• Install the latest versions for your other non-Gateway or non-eMachines programs and device drivers (except for the software and drivers you have uninstalled above). You can often find updates (if available) on the software publisher's Web site. For technical support of non-Gateway or non-eMachines software, you must contact the software publisher.
• Install the latest Windows XP operating system updates. While your computer is connected to the Internet, click Start, All Programs, Accessories, then click Windows Update and follow the on-screen instructions (if any).
• Restart the computer. When Found New Hardware Wizard windows appear after restarting Windows, click Cancel to close each of them.
• Run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor to check for any additional incompatibilities before continuing.
• For complete instructions using the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, reference the Upgrade Advisor Product Page.

Once these steps have been verified, the computer is ready for an Upgrade Install of Windows Vista. Depending on the computer, some programs may not be supported in Windows Vista. If this is an Express Upgrade version of the Vista Upgrade, use the Drivers and programs DVD that was included with the Upgrade Kit. For retail copies of Windows Vista, purchase new versions of most software, such as internet security or DVD players, to gain Vista functionality.

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